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Housing without harming the countryside

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Helen discussing Maidstone's Local Plan with Lenham Parish Council
Junction 8

After the economy, the number one worry people have talked to me about on the doorstep is development. Hundreds of new houses are being built on the edges of villages like Harrietsham, Lenham, Langley as well as around Faversham and Maidstone. There are also plans for a 'garden village' around Lenham Heath.

Many young people are struggling to buy a home, and with more people living longer and living apart, we do need more homes. But we must keep the numbers manageable, build in the right places and in the right way, invest in infrastructure like roads and schools, and make sure decisions are made locally. It’s about getting the balance right; we must look after what we’ve got and give the next generation the chance to own a home.

News

Addressing SOHL public meeting

New homes must not decimate green spaces

Friday, 18 December, 2020

In my submission to Maidstone Borough Council’s Local Plan consultation, I stressed the need to strike a balance between protecting the countryside and providing the new homes people need.

Helen at Lenham Heath public meeting

"Don't concrete over Kent" My message to Housing Secretary

Wednesday, 7 October, 2020

I met the Housing Secretary, Robert Jenrick, last week to raise concerns from constituents and local councillors about the number of new houses being built in Kent.

People feel strongly about housing, and rightly so.

Helen at the proposed site of the North Street development

North Street ‘garden community’ needs to be rejected

Thursday, 13 February, 2020

I’ve called on Swale Borough Council to reject plans to build 5,000 new houses at North Street.

The development is being considered for inclusion in Swale’s new Local Plan, which will set out where new homes should be built in the borough between 2022-2038.

Helen with Lenham Parish Councillors

Maidstone Local Plan must reduce traffic

Tuesday, 8 October, 2019

Reducing congestion on roads needs to be the focus for our new Local Plan in Maidstone.

The new Local Plan will set out planning policy in Maidstone for the next 20 years and should focus on improving quality of life for local people.

Helen at Oare Creek

East Kent Recycling needs to stick to the rules

Thursday, 26 September, 2019

I was disappointed by the decision to give the go ahead for the expansion of East Kent Recycling’s plant at Oare Creek. I was strongly opposed to the development along with the town council, parish council, and local people.

Leeds Castle

I will continue to oppose Woodcut Farm development

Tuesday, 5 December, 2017

I am disappointed that outline planning permission for an industrial development has been granted for Woodcut Farm by Maidstone Borough Council’s Planning Committee by a 7-5 majority.

Lobbying Sajid Javid

I did everything I could, but Sajid Javid has given Maidstone's Local Plan the go-ahead

Tuesday, 3 October, 2017

I have done everything I can to make the voice of local people heard in the planning process. Ever since I was elected I have spoken out against development at Junction 8 and pushed for new housing to be supported by appropriate infrastructure.

Junction 8 is the wrong place for development

No more houses without investment in infrastructure

Wednesday, 20 September, 2017

Sajid Javid has announced changes to the way planning authorities calculate how many homes they need to build in their area.

For Maidstone these changes mean an increase in the housing target from 883 to 1,236 more houses a year, for Swale it's going up from 776 to 1,054 .

Lobbying Communities Secretary Sajid Javid

I've called a halt to Maidstone's Local Plan

Monday, 11 September, 2017

I am very worried about Maidstone’s Local Plan. I have urged Maidstone Council and the Planning Inspector himself to make changes, but they have just steamrollered on. I wish we could have solved this locally, but we’re running out of time.

Grenfell Tower: By Brandon Butterworth - Not previously published elsewhere. Supplied by email directly from photographer, following an explicit appeal for available CC-BY-SA licensed images for use on Wikipedia. Then cropped down., CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=59925902

Grenfell Tower: People in Kent need reassurance that social housing is safe

Thursday, 22 June, 2017

The horrific fire at Grenfell Tower has left people angry that this could happen in Britain and frightened for their own safety. We need justice for the victims, and reassurance that everything possible is being done to prevent a tragedy like this happening again.

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Helen Whately Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid Kent

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Copyright 2021 Helen Whately Member of Parliament for Faversham and Mid Kent . All rights reserved.
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